The Eisbären Berlin defended their lead in the German Ice Hockey League on Sunday (December 10, 2023). The Kölner Haie triumphed in Mannheim.
Berlin defeated champions Red Bull Munich 2-1 (0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 0-0, 1-0) after a penalty shootout in an intense top duel. The Adler Mannheim, on the other hand, are deep in crisis, losing their fourth game under new head coach Dallas Eakins with a 0:4 (0:0, 0:2, 0:2) against the Kölner Haie.
With 52 points from 26 games at “halftime” of the main round, Berlin is still just ahead of the surprise teams Straubing Tigers (51) and Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven (50). The Munich team (45) are in fourth place behind the trio.
Ehliz with the equalizer
The Eisbären led for a long time in national player Jonas Müller’s 500th DEL game thanks to a goal from American Ty Ronning (27th), but had to accept the equalizer from Yasin Ehliz (57th) shortly before the end of regular time. After an uneventful extra time, only Ronning scored in the penalty shootout.
Debacle for Mannheim
Mannheim experienced a debacle in the home arena. The eight-time champion shot 32 times at Tobias Ancicka’s goal, but the Haie goalie could not be overcome. Cologne, on the other hand, struck ice cold: David McIntyre (30th), Alexandre Grenier (39th) and a double strike in the 47th minute by Elias Lindner and Frederik Storm resulted in the fifth defeat in a row for the Adler, who remain in tenth place (35th minute). ).
“I’ve never played a game like this in my life”said Mannheim’s David Wolf at MagentaSport: “We were the superior team. The shit was going crazy. You can only get out of a situation like that with hard work.”
Bremerhaven back on track
Bremerhaven got back on track after the defeat against Berlin last Friday. Head coach Thomas Popiesch’s team beat the Grizzlys Wolfsburg 3-1 (1-0, 1-0, 1-1).
The Düsseldorfer EG had to admit defeat at the Löwen Frankfurt 2:4 (0:0, 1:1, 1:3). Straubing failed to catch up with leaders Berlin on points in a 3-2 (0-2, 2-0, 0-0, 0-0, 1-0) win against bottom-placed Iserlohn Roosters.
The Nuremberg Ice Tigers inflicted only their second defeat on their own ice to the home-strong Schwenninger Wild Wings with a score of 4:3 (0:2, 3:0, 0:1, 1:0) after extra time. The Augsburg Panthers conceded a 3:6 (2:4, 0:0, 1:2) at runner-up ERC Ingolstadt.